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The sentences given below, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a number. Decide on the most logical order and enter only the sequence of numbers in the space provided.

  1. During the last 150 years or so, the world production of food has increased for two main reasons.
  2. At the same time the development of various branches of science, and in particular medical science, has helped to eliminate or lessen the effects of many diseases, enabling more adults to reach old age.
  3. New lands have been brought into use for farming for the first time, and new techniques have made it possible to obtain higher yields in existing farming areas.
  4. The relentless growth of world population over the last 150 to 200 years was only possible because more and more food and other items of consumption became available.

Entered answer:

Solution

Correct Answer: 4132

When a sentence promises "two main reasons," two later sentences must deliver them. Use that as your anchor.

Sentence 4 is the broadest claim - world population grew because food and consumer goods became available. It frames the whole paragraph.

Sentence 1 narrows in: "During the last 150 years, world food production has increased for two main reasons." This is the setup sentence - it owes the reader a list.

Pair: 4 then 1

Sentence 3 gives the first reason: new farmland and new farming techniques.

Sentence 2 opens with "At the same time the development of various branches of science..." - a totally different domain (medical science) plus a parallel-time marker. That is the second reason, with the "at the same time" making the parallel explicit.

Pair: 3 then 2


Elimination shortcut: 2 cannot start ("At the same time" needs a prior point). 3 cannot start ("New lands" reads as a follow-up, not a topic sentence). So the opener is either 1 or 4 - and 4 is broader, so 4 leads.

Sequence: 4-1-3-2

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